Our family spent six magical days at Finca Exotica in mid-Dec 2022 (2 adults and kids ages 6, 12 & 14). We had a chance to disconnect from technology and... read more slow down. We read and played games, hiked in the jungle and splashed in the ocean, observed the incredible flora and fauna. It took our family a day or two to get used to living in an open air cabin, but the payoff in connecting with nature and truly feeling the world around us was priceless. It was a once-in-a lifetime experience that I hope my children hold with them for many years.
Rancho Cabina
We stayed in the Rancho cabin (luxury suite), the largest cabin on Gaby and Marcus' property. It was at the top of the trail (7 minutes walk from the receptions, and about 4 from Casa Grande, the dining and common area), and was completely private, backed by lush tropical vegetation with ocean views. What makes the Rancho cabin extra special was the fact that we were looking out into, and above, the forest canopy (due to the steep slopes and location of the cabin). That meant the toucans, monkeys and scarlet macaws were at eye level.
The open air cabin was beyond breathtaking! Everything was beautiful wood, sleek and elegant, yet warm (somehow the photos on the website don't do it justice). The main floor was split between a large chill-out area (hammock surrounded by cushioned seating with views of the jungle and ocean) and a half-level up, a dining area with a small kitchen (sink, two burner stove, cupboards with basic dishes and pots).
Upstairs we had 4 beds (3 singles and what seemed like a king and was extremely comfortable) with mosquito nets. There were also two desks, one of which was very long and functioned as a window sill. Sitting there, you look over the jungle at the ocean! (I can imagine getting seriously inspired here if I was on a writing retreat!)
A few steps from the cabin was the bathroom: an open air shower (no hot water) and an airy, covered room with flush toilet and sink. The real treat was the little pool. My little one and I would fill it in the morning and let it warm up through the day for a sunset bath before dinner.
The property
Spread out across a large piece of jungle, the eco-lodge is home to all kinds of wildlife. We saw 4 kinds of monkeys (all the kinds you can find in Costa Rica), coatis, loads of birds, reptiles, and insects... Scarlet macaws were cracking nuts above our heads, howler monkeys were hanging out in the trees, a pack of adorable squirrel monkey's swung by to see if they could find some fruit. We saw a turtle laying her eggs on the beach. It is truly amazing.
There are hikes and beach walks to do, and of course the property is very close to the entrance to Corcovado National park (other reviewers have gone into detail about park access).
As others have mentioned, the meals were served in the Casa Grande, another incredible space with soft lighting in the evening and lots of cozy areas for reading, chatting with other travelers or playing the games Gaby and Marcus have available. They also have many books on various topics (local ecology, flora and fauna, permaculture, meditation & mindfulness, to name a few). (Side note - Andy, the driver who brought us to and from Puerto Jimenez, told us that the beautiful large dining table in Casa Grande was made by Marcus from wood salvaged from a shipwreck.)
The vibe is very chill, as other reviewers have mentioned. This is aided by the fact that there is only wifi in the reception building (at the bottom of the property, 3-4 minutes downhill from Casa Grande and about 7 minutes from the Rancho cabin). So when you are sitting in the Casa Grande, no one is staring at a screen- a rarity these days. Instead, people are talking, reading, enjoying nature, or playing games. The people we met were all very interesting and full of incredible stories. Finca Exotica definitely attracts an adventurous crowd!
Food
Breakfast was served from 7 (until 9ish?), lunch between noon and 2ish, a snack at 6, and dinner at 7. The food was spectacular. It was healthy and delicious, with a focus on local produce, and beautifully plated. Chef's Kevin and Coco, were very talented! It was absolutely gourmet. I think my favourite was the seared tuna steak, but everything was fantastice! Portions were not huge, but they were totally sufficient for me. There was always a pot of coffee available, and various fruit juices, smoothies or chocolate milk in the mornings.
For the kids: For my oldest, an adventurous eater, the food was perfect. Marcus would come around after the meal and ask if he'd had enough (he's a growing 14 year old), and he'd often ask for a bit more. For my pickier youngest, the food was more challenging. After a few meals, we asked for her food to be plated more simply (so she could pick the things she liked without "offensive" items mixed in). Next time we go (now that I know the cabin has a stove), I'll bring some dry goods to supplement the kids on days they aren't fond of what is served. There is no fridge, so I'll probably stick to things like packaged ramen, dry camping food, granola bars, etc.
I could go on and on about how amazing this eco-lodge is and how many incredible experiences we had, but this review is already too long!
Be sure to thoroughly read their website to understand what you are signing up for, especially the "Is Finca Exotica for You" page.
We were concerned before we went about mosquitoes (our kids have bad reactions to some insect bites), but the mosquitos were not bad at all (though I understand this can be seasonal, we arrived right after the rainy season).
Owners Gaby and Marcus are lovely, as was everyone else we met there. They are NOT concierges - don't expect to be able to call on them day and night to make requests. They are around to help and you are cared for, but they don't hold your hand the whole time! There are no street lights (you'll need to bring flashlights), and guests are generally responsible for their own safety (there is no lifeguard at the beach, but they tell you which times are safest for swimming).
This is not a packaged holiday experience; it is a genuine adventure. If this idea appeals to you, you will not be disappointed by Finca Exotica!